Real life experiences: special educational needs
The transition from childcare settings to reception class
When Chloe Wilkins from Chard in Somerset was six months old, she had a blood clot removed from her brain, causing her to suffer a stroke. Her right side was paralysed, and doctors said that she would never lead a normal life, let alone go to school. Yet, refusing to give up hope, her mother Terry Sweet started taking her along to a special needs playgroup.
"She came on leaps and bounds, and had loads of friends."
Because the group was based at a neighbourhood nursery, Sure Start health
and social services were available on site. Chloe's key worker at the
nursery used sign language to communicate with her, and also taught the other
children to sign so that Chloe felt included. "She came on leaps and
bounds, and had loads of friends," says Terry. She also benefited from the
support of a speech therapist, an occupational therapist, a physiotherapist, an
eye specialist and an education phsychologist.
Now settled in at the reception class of a nearby primary, Chloe is supported
by the same team of health specialists that she already knew from her nursery.
"She has done fantastically well in school," says Terry.
"She's running around trying to say sentences, and she even answers me
back!"
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